Sunset Sunday – Near South Shetland Islands, Antarctica

I asked my friend Sherry if the sun even sets in Antarctica when I noticed her Facebook post from the seventh continent a few weeks back. And now she has supplied the answer in a guest post for Sunset Sunday Series. Enjoy her story from celebrating the “sunset” near the South Shetland Islands.

sunset near the south shelter islands of Antarctica... but the sun never sets

Sherry:

The time was midnight and I stared in amazement as the sky looked like it was on fire.  There was no signs of darkness coming to this part of the world in mid December, instead we were experiencing white nights while cruising around the Antarctica peninsula at this special time of year.  I sat in the lounge bar at the back of our expedition boat and drank beer while keeping a close watch on the horizon.  Each hour that passed in to the next morning I expected it to get dark, but the sun just teased me sitting right below the horizon painting the clouds above it in pinks and oranges.  

I sat and socialized with friends, never feeling tired thanks to the sun’s position – a perfect time and setting to reflect on just how beautiful this untouched part of the world is.  It deserved a spotlight for 24 hours I thought.  Before I knew it, I was surrounded by empty beer bottles, and jovial friends when the sun decided to reappear above the horizon at 4AM trying to remind us that another day had started here at the bottom of the world.  A sun that never sets can be dangerous. 

-Sherry Ott
Sherry Ott is a corporate cube dweller turned nomadic traveler who enjoys the off-the-beaten-path destinations. She brings you unique travel experiences, photography and also life experiences of a middle age wanderer on her site and more of her Antarctica Chronicles on OttsWorld. You can also follow her on twitter @ottsworld
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Tags: , , , ,

  • http://twitter.com/maryjdressel Mary J McCoy-Dressel

    Absolutely stunning!, Sherry. I like your guest posts, Craig.

    • http://www.stayadventurous.com/ craig zabransky

      Thank Mary. I was thrilled to have Sherry share one as she’s been to some fantastic destinations….Also, I’m sure you have a few gems too. Stay adventurous, Craig

  • http://twitter.com/lazytravelers Lazy Travelers

    amazing! we’ve been following (fine, stalking) sherry’s trip via instagram and her photos are seriously push antarctica up near the top of our list.

  • Raul (@ilivetotravel)

    Someday I will trek that far south. Tierra del Fuego is as far as I’ve gone – so far.

  • http://twitter.com/TheWrldWanderer The World Wanderer

    Oh, you got me on this post…Antarctica! I have made up my mind to visit here in 2013, and I cannot wait to see this for myself. Beautiful.

  • http://travelingted.com/ Traveling Ted

    That has to be surreal to only experience the sun for a short time and when it appears it is like a sunset and sunrise at the same time. Cool picture.

  • http://twitter.com/mrsoaroundworld Ana Silva O’Reilly

    i find it unbelievable – sunset and sunrise at the same time. wow! thanks!

  • http://twitter.com/L_e_a_h Leah Travels

    Sweet! Congrats on getting your seventh continent on Sunset Sunday. That’s spectacular.

  • Maria Falvey

    Simultaneous sun set/rise has got to be a little confusing but also magical!